---
title: "UK will impose sanctions on Rwanda 'soon' in response to Congo conflict"
description: "GENEVA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Britain will introduce sanctions soon against Rwanda over fighting in neighbouring Congo, a minister in the UK Foreign Office told Reuters on Monday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-24-uk-will-impose-sanctions-on-rwanda-soon-in-response-to-congo-conflict/"
published: "2025-02-24T21:11:17"
updated: "2025-02-24T21:11:19"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 161
---

# UK will impose sanctions on Rwanda 'soon' in response to Congo conflict

> GENEVA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Britain will introduce sanctions soon against Rwanda over fighting in neighbouring Congo, a minister in the UK Foreign Office told Reuters on Monday.

By Reuters · Published 24 February 2025, 23:11 SAST · Updated 24 February 2025, 23:11 SAST

## Key points
- In a diplomatic tango that could rival a soap opera, the UK hints at sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged cozying up to the M23 rebels, while Kigali insists it’s merely defending itself in a game of geopolitical chess gone awry.
- UK junior minister Ray Collins confirms imminent sanctions on Rwanda amid ongoing tensions.
- Rwanda faces international scrutiny over alleged support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.
- Kigali denies backing M23, claiming its military actions are defensive against threats from Congo.
- U.S. Treasury sanctions high-profile Rwandan official James Kabarebe, prompting Kigali's condemnation of the move.

## Content

By Olivia Le Poidevin

Asked if Britain would impose sanctions on Rwanda, Ray Collins, who covers Africa policy as a junior minister in the foreign office, replied "Yes". Asked when, he said "Soon".

The "UK has made its position clear to Rwanda and will act soon," he added, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.

Rwanda is facing global pressure over allegations it supports the M23 group which, since January, has captured swathes of eastern Congo including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, and valuable mineral deposits.

Kigali denies backing the group but says its own troops are acting in self defence against hostile groups based in Congo.

On Thursday the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, a high profile ally of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, accused by Washington of serving as "a Rwandan government liaison" to M23. Rwanda said the sanctions were unjustified.

(Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Peter Graff)